Fair going strong, Dirlam decorated for hard work

One of the many exciting events to open the 2012 Wayne County Fair included the presentation of the “People Who Make a Difference in Wayne County Agriculture” Award.

Wayne Independent - Honesdale, PA

Writer

Posted Aug. 8, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 8, 2012 at 8:20 AM

Posted Aug. 8, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 8, 2012 at 8:20 AM

Honesdale, Pa.

- One of the many exciting events to open the 2012 Wayne County Fair included the presentation of the “People Who Make a Difference in Wayne County Agriculture” Award.

This year, the Wayne County Historical Society was delighted to honor Roger L. Dirlam. Roger was nominated due to the leadership he has provided in the last 14 years as fair president.

That leadership, along with his vision, is what has enabled the Wayne County Fair to remain true to its agricultural roots.

To quote Roger, “As a director and president of the Wayne County Fair, it is one of our main goals to keep agriculture in the forefront of this week’s activities and during the rest of the year as well.”

The earliest Fairs were agricultural fairs. They were a place for the farming community to exhibit their animals, garden produce, canned and baked goods. Horse pulls and later tractor pulls as well as many other fun activities were thrown into the equation.

The Wayne County Fair is unique in that it has not forgotten its beginnings. Agriculture is still a big part of the fair from the animal barns to the exhibit hall to the Wayne County Historical Society’s own J. B Park Farm Museum. Agriculture is alive and well not only at the annual fair, but all year round at the fairgrounds.

Raised on a farm in Cherry Ridge, Roger followed in his father’s footsteps with his interest in the fair. He became an associate director in 1981, full director in 1991 and president in 1999. Roger is a large supporter of the Wayne County Junior Livestock Sale.

Roger is president of Dirlam Bros, Lumber Co. Inc. He serves his community in many ways: Honesdale National Bank Board member and currently, Vice Chairman, PSACF member and board of directors, treasurer Wayne-Pike Shrine Club, treasurer Girdland Social Club. He is also a member of several fraternal and community service organizations.

The Wayne County Historical Society is proud to honor the man whose foresight has kept agriculture intact as he led the Wayne County Fair into the 21st Century.

The 150th Wayne County Fair still has a lot to offer.

Tonight, country music fans will fill the grandstand to sing along with Jake Owen at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 10 there will be a modified tractor pull competition and show, presented by the New York Tractor Pullers Association (NYTPA) and sponsored by Rusty Palmer, Inc. General admission is $5 and the dirt begins to fly at 7:30 p.m.

This Saturday, Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. 4-H will be holding a livestock sale at the Arena and Large Dairy Barn. There will be two 4-H sales conducted simultaneously at both locations.

Saturday night will close with the much anticipated KSR Motorsports Truck Show, sponsored by Case Tire Service, Inc. The show will feature Viper, Mega Merc and many more. Admission to the event is $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets to the event do not include admission to the fairgrounds.

Attendance to the fair is up from this time last year, with attendance as through Tuesday at 49,632.